We invite you to relive the dashing days of Ernie Gann & Co. by flying this in-depth simulation of a true vintage airliner icon, the PMDG Douglas DC-6 Cloudmaster for Prepar3D!

The DC-6 Cloudmaster, built by Douglas Aircraft Co., Inc. from 1946 to 1958, is a long range, low wing monoplane with full cantilever wing and empennage, semi-monocoque fuselage, and fully retractable tricycle landing gear. The "6" as it is affectionately known, features air conditioning and a completely pressurized cabin for high-altitude flight, and is designed for use as a passenger and cargo commercial transport. It is also suitable for operation both as a dayplane and a sleeper.

As with a number of other airplanes built during the 1940s, including the DC-3 and DC-4, the "6" was initially intended for military use. The DC-6 was called the C-118 Liftmaster in United States Air Force service, and the R6D in United States Navy service. It was used extensively after the war in a commercial role, and was Douglas's next step in their line of DC aircraft after the DC-4 Skymaster. Douglas's aim was for the "6" to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range transport market. Pan Am used the DC-6 as their airplane of choice to inaugurate its first trans-Atlantic tourist class flights, starting in 1952. There was a good reason Pan Am chose the DC-6, as it was considered to be the best in its class in the 1950's.

Power is supplied by four Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp, 18-cylinder, 2800-cubic-inch-displacement radial engines, with a gear ratio of 0.450:1. The engines are equipped with Hamilton Standard propellers and water/alcohol injection for higher take-off power.

The total production number of the DC-6 series was 702 including military versions, and this venerable workhorse still flies today in cargo, military, and wildfire control roles. The DC-6 was eventually replaced in airline passenger service by the Douglas DC-7, but the simpler, more economic engines in the DC-6 caused it to out-live the more sophisticated DC-7. DC-6s and 7s who survived into the jet age were eventually replaced in front line service by the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8.

The DC-6 took to the air for the first time on February 15th, 1946. Thus, 2016 marks the 70th anniversary since the introduction of the DC-6. We feel it is therefore appropriate that we are releasing this simulation during the 70th anniversary year of this iconic airplane.

An accurate, detailed simulation of the DC-6 has been sorely missing from desktop flight simulation, until now!

After being in development for 2 years, PMDG's award winning development team is proud to release this faithfully reproduced aircraft. In traditional PMDG style, no effort was spared during this extensive development process and we are certain the DC-6 will quickly become your favorite classic propliner simulation!

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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum

Simulator: P3D v3 and v4 NOT COMPATIBLE WITH PREPAR3D 2.x.

Hardware: Dual Core, 2.5 GHz or faster, 4 GB of RAM, A video card with at least 1 GB of VRAM, DirectX 9 compatible Nvidia or ATI card. Onboard motherboard or CPU video is not supported. Some of the newer Intel designs may work but we cannot guarantee compatibility.

Windows: Windows 7 64-bit (older OSes such as Windows XP may work, but we cannot guarantee compatibility or support)

External Model - The external model has been accurately modelled using high resolution 3-view drawings of the actual airplane, and painted in exquisite detail with high resolution photo real textures.

Fully Interactive, Dynamic Virtual Cockpit - Designed and animated using the same proprietary techniques developed for previous PMDG award-winning product lines, you will truly enjoy the sensation of "being there" when flying this simulator from the fully interactive and animated 3D virtual cockpit. Stunning, high definition photo real textures in the VC truly brings this cockpit to life, and makes the DC-6 look 100% authentic compared to its real world counterpart.

Ramp Manager - External objects can be displayed/hidden using the Ramp Manager, adding to the realism and immersion – Tow Bar & Tractor, Wheel Chocks, Pitot Covers, Engine Oil Pans, Mechanic Stands. Here you will also be able to use the quick setup feature to set up the airplane for Cold & Dark, Ready for Start and Ready for Taxi without having to go through the extensive procedures. Great for when you have limited time.

Fuel and Loadout Manager – Using the Fuel and Loadout Manager, you will be able to realistically fuel the airplane’s 8 fuel tanks, load the desired number of passengers and amount of cargo for your next flight.

Artificial Flight Engineer (AFE) – The AFE can be used to assist you through various phases of flight: Before Start, After Start, Before Take-off, Take-off (Dry or Wet), Cruise, Descent, In Range, Before Landing, After Landing, Parking. During take-off, cruise and descent phases, the AFE will manage the airplane’s power and related settings for you.

Maintenance Manager – The Maintenance Manager will allow you to keep track of and manage your airplane’s engine health, propeller hours, engine oil quantities and related fluids such as water/alcohol, auxiliary oil and anti-ice fluids. You will also be able to see the total airframe hours accumulate.

Realism Options – You will be able to adjust the airplane’s realism settings to your preference, such as Engine Damage, Realistic Start, Carb Icing, and CB Failures.

Realistic Animations - The animated parts on the DC-6 were carefully researched and faithfully reproduced to match their operation with the actual aircraft. The DC-6 sports realistically animated gear, gear doors, flaps, cowl flaps, fuel dump chutes, passenger doors and cargo doors, as well as main and front cabin exit stairs. In the VC the CA and FO windows and the FE seat works exactly like their real counterparts. All switches, knobs and levers have been animated using actual video footage as reference.

Side Icon Bar – The side icons allows you to quickly access the various management screens (ramp manager, fuel & loadout, AFE etc.).

Engine Model – The Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp CB-16 engine model has been accurately modelled, including realistic engine start, variable carb icing based on precipitation, dew point and OAT, realistic CHT behaviour, oil temperature heat-up and cool-down rates, realistic oil consumption, realistic oil pressure that varies based on oil temperature, water injection detonation suppressant for high-power take-offs, a realistic auto-mixture system correcting for air density and high/low supercharger modes with corresponding effects on critical manifold pressure, altitude and torque. A failure model (optional, can be disabled in Realism Options) is included. Engines are prone to abuse as well as wear and tear when the failure model is enabled.

Airplane Systems and Equipment - The DC-6’s systems were reproduced to match the operation of those in the real aircraft, and include: De-icing, Electrical, Engines, Fuel, Hydraulic, Oil, Pressurization, Propellers and Water Injection.

Sperry A-12 Automatic Pilot

Bendix King KX 155 NAV/COMM Transceiver

Bendix King KR 87 ADF Receiver

Bendix King KI-227 ADF Indicator

Garmin GI-106A GPS/VOR/LOC/Glideslope Indicator

Bendix MN- 61A Marker Beacon System

Bendix KT76A Transponder

Bendix KMA24 Audio Panel

Bendix KDI572 DME Receiver

Realistic Fuel System – The fuel system has been accurately modelled, and includes the 8-tank main and alternate fuel system with cross-feed, realistic fuel pressure system and the fuel dump system with accurate dump rates.

AC/DC Electrical Bus System – The electrical bus system includes realistic amp draw and voltage, as well as battery drain and charging.

Realistic, Immersive Sound Set - To increase the level of realism and immersion, individual switches, levers, knobs, aural warning sounds, and an array of systems sounds were recorded from an actual DC-6 expressly for the purpose of providing total flight deck realism and realistic audio-tactile feedback. The sound set covers every sound you would expect to hear inside the DC-6 cockpit, as well as from the exterior view. Highly realistic effects of the relationship between throttle positions, prop lever positions and engine RPM creates an authentic DC-6 in-cockpit sound experience.

Add-on Liveries - As is always the case at PMDG, numerous free add-on liveries are available for a variety of real-world DC-6 operators.

Flight Model – The DC-6 flight model has been tested and given the thumbs up by several type rated pilots who are current on type. If they say she flies like a DC-6, we’re not going to argue.